This time round I handled the Seiko PADI Sumo, SPB181J1 which was released in around Dec 2020/Jan 2021. If I’m not wrong, this is the second PADI Sumo released by Seiko. The first one was the SBDC049 that has a blue bezel with “fat” numerals. The current model has a Pepsi bezel with slimmed down numerals. It is also updated with the 6R35 movement.
Below are some pictures of the SPB181J1.
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This time round I checked out the 6R35 Seiko Prospex Alpinist, SPB119J1. I used to own two pieces of the 6R15 version in the past when they were still JDM models. They were very popular due to the similarity with the 4S15 version that was released in the 90’s.
There are three versions of Alpinist that has this particular case design – the 4S15 version from the 90’s with a smaller case size, the 6R15 version from a few years back and the current 6R35 version. I find that the Alpinist identity actually gets weaker with each subsequent 6R version.
4S15 version – “Alpinist” word printed on dial and solid caseback bears the Alpinist logo.
6R15 version – Solid caseback with the Alpinist logo. (No “Alpinist” word on dial)
6R35 version – “Alpinist” word nowhere to be found on the watch. Solid caseback replaced with see-through caseback.
Below are some pictures.
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This time round I handled the new limited edition Seiko Prospex diver that is designated for Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Macau and Brunei markets. It is limited to 300 pieces and comes on a metal bracelet and an additional silicone strap. It has a dolphin grey dial and a blue bezel which is a perfect colour combo in my opinion. The dial is mildly textured and the crown is signed with the Prospex “X” logo.
The watch comes with a free gift which is a USB powered desktop speaker. It is shaped like an oxygen tank and bears the Prospex name (see last two pictures below).
Below are some of my thoughts on this piece.
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This time round I handled the Seiko Presage SPBF43J1. This is the latest Cocktail time model that is powered by the 4R35 movement. There is also a green dialed version (SRPF41J1) which I did not get hold of. They are limited 7000 pieces each.
Below are some of my thoughts on this watch.
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Had the opportunity to handle the Seiko Prospex, SPB143J1 recently. This is a modern interpretation of the 62MAS from 1965. I have posted some random thoughts on the blue dial version, SPB149J1 in an earlier post (link at the end of this post) so here I’ll just post some pictures of this beautiful grey dial variant.
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Here’s another commemorative Seiko Prospex model for the 55th Anniversary of Seiko dive watches. This watch is powered by the 8L35 movement and is limited to 1100 pieces. It is modelled after the 1975 Seiko 600m shrouded diver which is the world’s first dive watch with a titanium case. This re-issue model has an increased anti-magnetism rating of 40,000a/m.
Below are my views on this watch.
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I handled the Seiko Prospex SBEX011 recently. This is another commemorative diver released to commemorate the 55th Anniversary of Seiko dive watches. It is powered by the 8L55 Hi-beat movement and is limited to 1100 pieces.
I believe this specimen is from the second shipment that the authorized distributor received. However, I’m not sure why this time it is the SBEX011, instead of the SLA039J1. I thought SBEX is for Japan while SLA is for anywhere outside Japan. The watch comes with the Japanese price tag, the local price tag with “SBEX011J” printed, as well as “SBEX011” printed on the sleeve of the presentation box. This goes to show that the difference between the SBEX and the SLA or for that matter the SBDC/SARX and their SPB equivalents is just the hang tags and stickers.
Below are some of my thoughts on the SBEX011.
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This time round I handled the Seiko Prospex SBEX009, a 62MAS reissue that commemorates the 55th Anniversary of Seiko dive watches. Seiko actually released two of these 62MAS reissue models this year using their 8L35 and 8L55 movements respectively. I posted the 8L35 model (SLA043J1) on this blog a few weeks ago. (Link provided at the end of this post)
The model featured in this post is powered by the 8L55 movement which is a high-beat (36000bph) movement. By comparing the specifications of the two watches on Seiko’s website, I notice that the 8L55 movement has a power reserve of 55 hours which is 5 hours more than the 8L35 movement. The SBEX009 is also 0.6mm thicker than the SLA043J1.
You can tell the two watches apart by looking at their second hands. The SLA043J1 has a blue second hand while the high-beat SBEX009 has a silver coloured one. The SBEX009 has the word “Hi-Beat” printed on its dial right under the Seiko logo. In addition, the SLA043J1 comes with a waffle style silicone strap while the SBEX009 comes with a Tropic silicone strap.
Below are some pictures of the SBEX009.
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This time round I handled yet another new Seiko diver and that is the Seiko Prospex Shogun, SPB189J1 and SPB191J1. I believe 2020 is the year that Seiko released the most number of divers in their entire watchmaking history. From entirely new models to new variants of existing models, I have lost count of how many models they have churned out this year.
The new Seiko Shogun appears to be an update to the previous model, the SBDC029 which replaced the SBDC007. It is powered by the 6R35 movement which has 70 hours of power reserve. There are also some changes in the dial, hands and bezel as compared to the previous model.
Below are some thoughts on the SPB189J1 and SPB191J1.
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Yeoman's Watch Review 